It's so easy to be demoralised by the institutional corruption, passivity and idiocy that starts at the very top of the Brazilian tree. But then, trying hard to be journalistic or academic rather than polemic, you search for evidence showing that, despite the sea of dross on which you are floating, Brazil is in fact moving, however painfully slowly, in the right direction. Articles such as this one. Key quote:
“There is a historical, cultural problem of a certain backwardness which is very hard to overcome but there is also increasing public demand for transparency and respect for the electorate.”
“There is a historical, cultural problem of a certain backwardness which is very hard to overcome but there is also increasing public demand for transparency and respect for the electorate.”
Hi Robert,
ReplyDeleteThanks for such an interesting article.
I am Ricardo Geromel, blogger at braziglobal.net.
You commented a post I wrote a few weeks ago.
I have just arrived in Sao Paulo and I will be here for 2 weeks of vacation. It would be a pleasure to personally meet you.
Send me an email at ricaototti@gmail.com and let's schedule a meeting...
Take care
Thanks Ricardo, have done. Today's article on Brazil's dealings with the IMF makes for more uncomfortable reading. I think there are still too many lessons from the past that haven't been learned. Key quote:
ReplyDelete"The more unconventional measures can never be a substitute for the fundamental measures."
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE72Q24I20110328
One such unconventional measure is imposing a massive 6% tax on all spending by Brazilians outside of their country ! Looks like a last gasp before the status quo cracks.
ReplyDelete